April 22, 2009
Milan, Italy – Philips Design's “Off the Grid - Sustainable Habitat 2020” design probe project has won an award from the Italian Well-Tech organization. Well-Tech awards, standing for ‘Wellness and Technology’, are in recognition of technical innovation that makes a positive contribution to accessibility, sustainability and quality of life. Now in their seventh year, these international awards cover categories ranging from automotive to domestic appliances, eco-friendly materials, new forms of renewable energy and sustainable architecture. The Well-Tech award is a further confirmation of the role of Philips as a leader in Health and Well-being.
Tracking emerging trends and developments
“Off the Grid - Sustainable Habitat 2020” is one in a series of Philips Design probes projects aimed at tracking emerging trends and developments - often no more than 'weak signals' emerging at the margins of society - that may ultimately have a significant impact on the way we live our lives. The Probes generate insights from research in five main areas; politics, economic, culture, environments and technology futures, and are intended to challenge conventional ways of thinking and stimulate debate. Outcomes of the probes research include scenarios and narratives to the creation of experience prototypes and IP development.
Tackling major global issues
The Philips Design probe project "Off the Grid - Sustainable Habitat 2020" explores new ways of developing sustainable housing for the world's steadily increasing urban population, taking into account major issues like scarcity of clean water, environmental pollution, global warming and dwindling resources. Based on the example of a Chinese mega-city like Shanghai in 2020, it looks at alternative ways of designing intelligent living spaces that, rather than increasing the burden on existing infrastructure, actually manage to function 'off the grid', i.e. using only renewable resources that are captured and harnessed on-site.
'Self-sufficient' buildings
Central to this approach is a fundamental shift in the way buildings are designed and constructed. Instead of having an inert outer surface whose primary considerations are strength and protection, the probe suggests using sensitive, functional and responsive 'skins' that respond to changing conditions. In this way the outer surface of the building can, for example, direct light into the apartments inside for illumination, capture rainwater that is then filtered and used for drinking and other domestic purposes, channel wind for air-conditioning, and turn sunlight into electricity. This 'intelligent membrane' could mean that the building would no longer need to be connected to traditional energy and water supply systems.
For further information, please contact:
Philips Design/Communications
Annemieke Strous
Tel: +31-6-29521874
E-mail: Annemieke.Strous@philips.com
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
| 